On 26th April 2023, FAWE Rwanda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, hosted the In-Country Annual Scholars Conference at CENETRA Kabuga. This event exemplifies the foundation’s commitment to empowering girls through education and mentorship.

The conference was organized exclusively for the University of Rwanda scholars, of whom 209 confirmed their participation. This special gathering included scholars who had recently completed their education, others finalizing their dissertations or internships, and those on vacation awaiting the 2022-2023 academic year.

The conference’s aim was multi-faceted : firstly, to help scholars discuss their readiness for the job market ; secondly, to understand their future roles as FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Alumnae and Ambassadors.

Packed with empowering sessions, starting with a presentation and discussion on FAWE Rwanda values. Scholars were given a platform to evaluate the support they’ve received from the FAWE/MCF Scholars Program, covering areas such as stipends, leadership and career development training, mentoring, and career guidance. The conference enabled dialogue around enhancing the Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF) and the scholars’ individual entrepreneurship and business development skills.

Central to the event was a session dedicated to experience sharing. Scholars shared their success stories, and testimonies, and offered insights into building a strong FAWE/MCF Alumni network. These discussions served not only as an inspirational platform for participants but also as a crucial mechanism for feedback on the program.

The conference was facilitated by dedicated FAWE Rwanda staff and Alumna Leonne Laura Uwizihiwe. The scholars were encouraged to discuss their experiences, evaluate the tools that helped them succeed, and ponder how they could serve as FAWE Rwanda Ambassadors.

Key outputs from the event included commitments from scholars on their role as FAWE and MCF Ambassadors and recommendations for building a robust FAWE/MCF Alumnae network. The conference gleaned valuable feedback from scholars on various empowerment programs, providing a roadmap for potential improvements.

The In-Country Annual Scholars Conference serves as a key event on FAWE Rwanda’s calendar, playing a critical role in ensuring that scholars are not only supported throughout their education but also equipped and inspired to make their mark in the world beyond the University of Rwanda.